Industry Lockheed Martin introduces LM-100J

The aircraft is the commercial freighter model of the well-known C-130J Super Hercules, which is normally being used for military purposes. It furthermore is an updated version of the legacy L-100 commercial Hercules freighter aircraft.

Lockheed Martin´s “Fireherc” was designed to be used for firefighting missions and features therefore advanced capabilities to support the requirements needed.

Advantages of the LM-100J are new flight deck avionics for better situational awareness and safety, the ability to support retardant dispersion solutions like the Coulson Aviation RADS Product Line or the Firefighting System II (MAFFS II). Moreover, the systems allow pilots to manoeuvre the aircraft safely at night, enabling 24/7 operations.

George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin said: "With the presence of wildfires increasing on a global scale, there is a real-time need to provide more advanced assets to protect our people, communities and environment.”

18 nations around the world are currently operating with the C-130J Super Hercules airlifter. As the aircraft have flown millions of hours during military and civil missions, Lockheed Martin can use their knowledge for the new LM-100J.

“As a variant of the C-130J Super Hercules, the FireHerc delivers a powerful combination of established performance advantages and innovative technology that will truly change the way we fight and defeat wildfires," Shultz added.

Lockheed Martin´s Hercules aircraft are playing a vital role in the firefighting operations. Often, fires have to be fought against in difficult terrain on low-level and low-speed. These circumstances require advanced capabilities of the aircraft.